15/12/23
UK Police Receive Funding Boost to Curb Crime, Safeguard Public
Police forces in England and Wales will receive up to £922 million extra funding next year, as the government continues its efforts to cut crime and keep communities safe.
The proposed funding package for 2024/25, published today, could see a total of up to £18.4 billion pledged to support the police to reduce crime in our communities, tackle anti-social behaviour and relentlessly pursue county lines gangs, should PCCs choose to take full advantage of police precept flexibility. This represents a 30.7% rise in cash terms compared to 2019-20.
Today's announcement will build on the government's commitment to keep our streets safe, with violent crime in England and Wales down 52% since 2010 and domestic burglary by 57%.
This additional funding will also support forces to give their officers the 7% pay increase announced by the government over the summer, rewarding their bravery and dedication.
In return for this significant investment, police forces will be tasked with improving productivity, identifying efficiencies and ensuring value for taxpayers.
The government has already introduced work in the past year to save police time, with the national rollout of Right Care, Right Person expected to save policing 1 million hours a year to focus on fighting crime.
Last month, the Home Office published findings from the Police Productivity Review that could save 38 million police hours, the equivalent of another 20,000 police officers. The government will continue to support the sector to ensure they, like all public services, are making best use of their investment.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said:
This government will always support our police. Our communities deserve a well-funded and equipped force, dedicated to making our country safer.
Progress has been made, with overall crime down and 136,000 violent offences prevented since 2019, but we will continue to invest in policing.
That is why we are putting up to £843 million more into keeping our streets safe, so that every officer and community has the support and resources they need to cut crime, protect the public and build confidence in policing.
Policing Minister Chris Philp said:
We have delivered record ever police numbers, and this settlement will enable those numbers to be maintained going forwards.
This settlement will also support work to visibly patrol neighbourhoods, protect the public and prosecute more criminals. Overall crime is down 10% compared to last year and like-for-like down 56% since 2010 according to the crime survey.
Today's settlement will enable us to keep driving crime down. I want to see a zero tolerance approach to any form of criminality.
Through today's funding agreement, over £200 million will go into priority projects like Violence Reduction Units, as well as dedicated policing efforts to tackle county lines and anti-social behaviour, with areas across the country seeing clear impact from these government-funded initiatives.
In the 20 areas of the country most impacted by violent crime, Violence Reduction Units have reached 215,000 young people. In combination with Grip hotspot policing, an estimated 136,000 violent offences have been prevented.
In total, £92 million will be available for hotspot policing and other work to tackle anti-social behaviour and serious violence.
Police and Crime Commissioners could also receive up to £922 million extra to support frontline policing and maintain the record size of the police force nationwide, thanks to the 20,000 additional police officers recruited since 2019. With nearly 150,000 officers currently in post, the government is committed to continuing to invest in the next generation of police officers.
The publication of the provisional funding settlement opens a period of consultation. The final police funding settlement will be debated in Parliament ahead of the new financial year.
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